Council informed of leakage at local company
CANFIELD — City council members were somewhat upset at their meeting Wednesday when they learned of an ongoing spill or leak at a local company.
Brad Kinkade, a resident of The Preserves development, had been following a spill that happened July 11 and felt it was time city officials were informed.
“On July 11 there was a spill at MSC and the EPA was brought in,” he said.
He said the leak or spill involved some serious chemicals such as cyanide, arsenic, sodium chloride, and heavy metals.
Since that date, Kinkade claimed the EPA wanted to check Sawmill Creek and had trucks pump out the wetlands near The Preserves.
“My house sits high enough that I don’t need to worry,” Kincade said. “I am more concerned about the school and residents who are downstream.”
He was also concerned about why council and the city manager were not informed. He said the fire chief knew about it.
“We were not aware of this until today,” council President Christine Oliver said. “I will express my dismay at the next fire board meeting.”
Oliver sits on the Cardinal Joint Fire Board and said she was unaware of it being mentioned in any board meetings.
City Manager David D’Apolito said, “I am not sure what role the city could play in this.”
Councilman Chuck Tieche asked if the city could shut the operation down. Attorney Mark Fortunato said the city would have no authority to do so since there was not a chance of an explosion. He told council he will look into what steps, if any, can be taken by the city at this point.
Tieche said, “I’m a little upset we weren’t informed of this leak. Let’s get it fixed.”
Councilman Bruce Neff said he would like to know if there have been other incidents that council was not made aware of.
Oliver said the concerns will be addressed at the fire district meeting later this month. In the meantime, she will look further into the matter.
MSC’s Canfield plant does electro-galvanizing and coil coating of steel.
On a different matter, Oliver mentioned the Canfield Police and Fire departments are attempting to fill a semitrailer with water, diapers and supplies for Woodfin, North Carolina, a city that was devastated by the recent hurricane. She said supplies can be dropped off at the police department or any of the three fire district stations.
Council also approved an ordinance to authorize a $55,000 change order for Yarian Brothers Construction to anchor a large pipe on Overbrook Drive that was floating. Public Works Superintendent John Rapp said the pipe was large and there was not enough ground to keep it from floating. It had to be anchored.
In other business, council:
•Council set trick or treat hours for 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 31.
•Held a first reading on adopting a new section of codified ordinances concerning solar energy systems. A public hearing is set for 5:30 p.m. Nov. 6.
•Approved creating a federal OVI Task Force Grant Fund. The fund allows the city to accept the OVI Task Force grant and keep those funds separate.